Editor's note: Enjoy today's devotion from The Power in Surrender by Sarah Jakes Roberts.
*
But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ — 2 Kings 1:3 NIV
I want to give you a little backstory for this text so you can fully understand why it’s so good! Ahaziah, the king of Samaria, had fallen and eventually became ill. He sent some messengers to consult with Baal-Zebub, the enemy and a false god. The prophet Elijah was sent by the angel of the Lord to confront the king, who was a nonbeliever in search of an answer from someone who wasn’t equipped to accurately respond.
The king was desperate for an answer about his future, but he didn’t ask the One who gave him life. Instead, when he was most vulnerable and looking for hope, he put his trust in the enemy. I’m inclined to ask you if this sounds familiar, but I have a feeling I know the answer.
- The king isn’t the only person who’s ever turned their back on God and put faith in someone or something that meant them no good.
Think about the heartbreak that led you to drinking. Or what about the neglect that pointed you in the direction of drugs?
I’m not judging you or pointing my finger; I’ve been in the same rough spots too. It took a rude awakening for me, and the king, to realize that God stands on business. God told Elijah that the king’s plan to consult the enemy, Baal-Zebub, would be the cause of his death, and so it was.
I don’t want this for you. I know it’s hard to turn away from your vices — self-¬sabotage, substance abuse, self-harm, and the list goes on — and God knows it too. Every day that He gives you a beating heart and a mind that has the ability to make a decision, that’s another day for you to make power moves toward choosing Him over consulting with Baal-Zebub.
Power moves cause confrontation.
We need the confrontation to happen because it breaks up systems. The king of Samaria needed Elijah to confront him on God’s behalf for him to understand that God is real. That confrontation made the king stand face-to-face with his decision and who God is.
For Elijah, in this instance, confrontation created influence.
For us, it’s a reminder that when we’re served with a moment of confrontation, we should desire for it to be a moment of value to highlight the Kingdom. Confrontation happens in our everyday lives — at work, in our relationships, and within ourselves.
Whatever we’re called to confront, may we do it in a way that is led by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) and creates unimaginable healing for everyone involved.
Take the limits off what it means to be in conflict. If we go through life without confrontation, then we are agreeing never to confront the things that desperately need to be changed; we are in agreement with the status quo and silently proclaiming that all is well. But solutions are birthed from our ability to effectively navigate confrontation.
Lay It Down
Whatever I’m called to confront, may I do it in a way that is led by the fruit of the Spirit and creates healing for everyone involved.
Excerpted with permission from The Power in Surrender by Sarah Jakes Roberts, copyright Sarah Jakes Roberts.
* * *
Your Turn
Let’s get real with ourselves before God today. What do we need to confront? What desperately needs to be changed? Lay it down and let the Holy Spirit give you wisdom and courage to do what needs to be done! ~ Devotionals Daily